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I’m happy to contribute to IZA World of Labor, a unique project that bridges the gap
between academics and practitioners. By presenting and explaining cutting-edge research
results on a wide range of topical labor issues, it provides an invaluable resource to
both policymakers and researchers

IZA World of Labor role

Author

Current position

Research Professor, French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS)

Research interest

Website

Past positions

Researcher at the French Centre for Research on Contemporary China (CEFC), Hong Kong
(2009–2011); Honorary Associate Professor at the Hong Kong Institute of Economics and
Business Strategy, The University of Hong Kong (2003–2006)

Families that stay behind when a member migrates
do not clearly benefit

About a billion people worldwide live and work
outside their country of birth or outside their region of birth within their
own country. Labor migration is conventionally viewed as economically
benefiting the family members who are left behind through remittances.
However, splitting up families in this way may also have multiple adverse
effects on education, health, labor supply response, and social status for
family members who do not migrate. Identifying the causal impact of
migration on those who are left behind remains a challenging empirical
question with inconclusive evidence.